Elastic band cup dispenser



June 2, 1931 c. N. BERGMANN ELASTIC BAND CUP DISPENSER Filed Oct. 9, 1928 R O T N E V m Patented June 2,v 1931 UNITED ST CHRISTIAN N. BERGMANN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNGR TO BERGll/ANN PACKAGING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TIDN 0F DELAWARE ELASTIC BANE CUP DISPENSER Application filed ctcber 9, 1928. Serial No. 311,362.

My invention refers to improvements in dispensing holders for receptacles, as paper cups. The improvement refers particularly to an adjustable thin rubber ring, so combined with the lower end of a delivery tube as to provide a central variable diameter elastic rim opening, providing for support of a stack of nested cups or the like, and permitting of removal of the lowermost cup successively by mere downward withdrawal.

In devices utilizing elastic open center diaphragms, such as shown in the prior patent of Gilchrist #1,155,552, and similar constructions, elastic perforated diaphragms have been used having holes of different diameters to dispense cups or cones of markedly different sizes, and such diaphragms have'been iixedly mounted on and attached to the lower end of the dispensing tube by a surrounding frame which, in effect, becomes a rigid marginal part of the diaphragm.

In my invention I utilize a section of thin rubber tubing having suiiicient elasticity for ample stretching and maximum tension, allowing itito be drawn upwardly around the lower end of the dispensing tube more or less, so as to extend inwardly toward the center by a variable width rim portion, surrounding a correspondingly variable size central opening, and with correspondingly variable reduced tension, for different diameters of cups, ete.

In the drawings showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig.. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the lower end 0f a dispensing tube provided with my improvement, adjusted to dispense a maximum diameter cup or receptacle;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the elastic band adjusted slightly downwardly and inwardly across the end of the tube for an intermediate size cup or receptacle;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the elastic band adjusted further down with. acorrespondingly reduced middle opening for a minimum size cup or receptacle;

Fig. l is a cross sectional view on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail View of the elastic band, detached and contracted to its normal size;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the elastic band in the position assumed when it is in operative position around the bottom of the dispensing tube.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the dispensing tube which may be of any desired length, mounted or supported in any convenient way, adapted to receive a nested stack of tapered cups 3 or the like for free delivery downwardly through the tube, as the lowermost receptacle is removed. Cups 3, which are in large common use for drinking purposes, ice cream, etc., are comparatively light and flexible, and are usually provided at their upper edges with a laterally extending rim l. Tube 2 is of a size to freely admit the largest diameter of cup for gravitating movement downwardly, and is unprovided with any additional attachment other than the elastic tubular band 5. The tube 2 is preferably rounded at its lower outer annular edge, as at 6, to facilitate application and prevent injury to the elas tic band.

`Band 5, of freely elastic thin rubber,

eimer originally made for such purpose, or in the form of a section of inner tubing or the like, is of a normal diameter, the same or slightly less thanthat of the resulting supporting opening within the horizontally arranged tensional edges, when the tube is applied.

In adapting the band 5 for proper functioning, it is stretched upwardly over the end of the tube 2, the elasticity of the band effecting a tight adhesion around the tube. is applied, the band is materially stretched and adjusted until the openingr surrounded by the inwardly extending terminal annular edge 7 is enlarged to a diameter slightly l less than that of the upper rim portion of the cup y3, when it is in position-for operation with such particular size of cup. Care should be observed in applying the elastic ring 5 so that it will be stretched evenly around the center -of the tube, providing the inwardly extending concentric edge 7, equal-y ly spaced around the middle clearance opening for the cups.

Thereupon, a stack of cups being deposited in the upper portion of tube 2, they will fall downwardly with the lowermost cup eX- tending through such opening, and being held, together with all of the superimposed cups, by the elastic rim 7.

Thereupon, the lowermost cup may be freely drawn cownwardly by the hand through the opening and past the supporting elastic rim, leaving the nextfadjacent cup supported in the same manner.

Such operation may be continued by removing each lowermost individual cup in the saine manner, until the stack is eX- hausted. e

lhen it is desired to utilize the invention for a medium size cup, as in Fig. 2, the elastic band 5 is lowered proportionately, with an inward proportional contraction of the terminal annular lip member 7, when a stach of such medium size cups may be deposited for supporrJ and individual extraction in the same manner.

lVhen minimum size cups are used, as in Fig. 3, the band 5 is adjusted further down with corresponding inward contraction of the lateral lip portion 7, with capacity for support and removal in the same manner as above described.

It will be observed that with the largest size cups of greatest circumference andA ample peripheralflexibility, the tension of the band will be at its maximum, as to the comparatively narrow supporting lip portion 7. As the diameter and circumference of the cups reduce, the inwardly Y contracted lip portion 7 slightly reduces in tension and increases in pliability, such action continuing` as the size and weight of the cups are reduced through any intermediate grades, to the minimum size. It will be therefore .clear that the device automatically accommodates itself to thevarying conditions of the cups or receptacles so that each size may be supported and removed with equal facility, and just the necessary degree of supporting resistanceto facilitate easy removal.

The diameter of tube 2 is ordinarily unvarying, and while with the maximum size cups they will be accurately guided and maintained in vertical alinement within the tube, smaller sizes may be used with equal facility, it being only necessary to insert the bottom Vcup of the stack through the opening through the band, in loading the tube.

The tube 2 is preferably provided 'with a slotted finger opening S for assisting in placement of the receptacles.

he construction and operation of the invention will be readily. understood and appreciated from the foregoing description.

It is extremely simple and convenient and most economical. Should the elastic band 5 become damaged or reduced in elasticity, it may be dispensed with and a new band replaced at minimum cost. The band itself, because of its nature and tifrhtgrasping engagement around the bottom of the tube, will maintain itself fiXedly in position during continued operation. VIt is equally easy to adjust it very accurately to the desired position and properly distended middle opening, so that the device may be applied and used by any one without the exercise of any special skill.

The size, proportions, thickness, degree of elasticity, or other features of the invention may be easily and accurately determined and adopted, and the diameter of the tube may be made to suit the dimensions of the receptacles to be delivered, either exactly or ap-V proximately, while Vthe entire mechanism may be changed or variedin different details, or combined with any supplemental storage or other means by the skilled mechanic, without departure from the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. In combination with a receptacle holding and delivery tube, an elastic band having an upper stretched portion gripping the tube and capable of being shifted thereon whereby to eXpand or contract the terminal opening of the lower portion of the band across the end of the delivery tube to adapt it to resilient engagement with varying size receptacles. l

2. In combination with a magazine tube, an elastic band stretched around the lower end of the tube with a portion extending beyond and across it'forming an elastic embracing ring capablerof d-iametervariation by adjustment of the banden the-tubev to resiliently embrace receptacles of varying diameter j 3. In combination with a magazine tube, an elastic handhaving anupper stretched. portion embracing the lower end of the tube and extending by its lower centrally open portion in reduced tension inwardly `beyond the terminal of the tube providing a transverse variable size opening for variable size cups by shiftingthe band on the tube.

4. In combination with the delivery'end of a receptacle tube, a surrounding elastic band having an upper portion tensionally engaging the tube and ,capable of movement thereon and a lower portion extending across the end of the tube in reduced tension and of variable open center diameter whereby to support and release cups of varying diameters.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature.

CHRISTIAN N. BERGMANN. i 

